Maine, 2023

Extreme Cold in Maine, February 3 to 4, 2023

February 3 to 4, 2023 · NWS GYX · 18 events in 18 counties and zones

Early on the 2nd a tropopause polar vortex (TPV) was dislodged from its position over Hudson Bay. Over time temperatures within the TPV had become very cold, with mid level temperatures around -40 degrees Celsius.

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it; 18 filed by county or forecast zone are drawn at its center, in a lighter ring. Tap one for its entry below.

  • Tornadoes
  • Tropical storms and surge
  • Floods
  • Wind
  • Hail
  • Winter weather
  • Heat and drought
  • Cold
  • Fire, smoke and dust
  • Marine and coastal
  • Other

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The toll

Deaths
0
Injuries
0
Property damage
None recorded
Crop damage
None recorded
Events
18

Deaths and injuries are direct and indirect together, as the offices filed them. Damage is property and crops in the dollars of the year, not adjusted for inflation, and only where an office estimated it.

What happened

The episode as NWS GYX wrote it up.

Early on the 2nd a tropopause polar vortex (TPV) was dislodged from its position over Hudson Bay. Over time temperatures within the TPV had become very cold, with mid level temperatures around -40 degrees Celsius. The ensuing cold front blasted across Ontario in 24 hours, reaching the Longfellow Mountains early on the 3rd. Temperatures fell throughout the day, with wind chills reaching -30 or colder by the afternoon for most locations. Wind chill warning criteria was met at many locations for 12 to 24 hours. Hundreds of warming shelters were opened during the event. While the cold air remained until the 5th, diminishing winds and temperatures climbing back above freezing allowed wind chills to warm above thresholds during the first half of the day on the 4th. Most areas reported a top 3 coldest wind chill reading on record for this event.

The radar

The national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

18 extreme cold/wind chill. Local standard time, as filed.

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill, Central Somerset

When
February 3, 7:00 AM EST to February 4, 1:00 PM EST
Where
Central Somerset forecast zone
Reported by
AWOS
Coordinates
45.514, -69.959 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

By morning on the 3rd wind chills were reaching -30 degrees. Ambient air temperatures continued to fall into the double digits below zero with winds gusting in excess of 35 mph. The coldest wind chill values approached -60 degrees, including -59 degrees at Newton Field in Jackman, early on the 4th before winds gradually began to diminish.

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill, Northern Oxford

When
February 3, 10:00 AM EST to February 4, 11:00 AM EST
Where
Northern Oxford forecast zone
Reported by
AWOS
Coordinates
44.500, -70.757 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

By mid morning on the 3rd wind chills were reaching -30 degrees. Ambient air temperatures continued to fall into the double digits below zero with winds gusting in excess of 35 mph. The coldest wind chill values approached -55 degrees early on the 4th before winds gradually began to diminish. The cold temperatures caused all the local ski areas to close for the day due to the dangerous conditions.

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill, Northern Franklin

When
February 3, 10:00 AM EST to February 4, 11:00 AM EST
Where
Northern Franklin forecast zone
Reported by
AWOS
Coordinates
44.974, -70.444 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

By mid morning on the 3rd wind chills were reaching -30 degrees. Ambient air temperatures continued to fall into the double digits below zero with winds gusting in excess of 35 mph. The coldest wind chill values approached -55 degrees, including -47 degrees at Carrabassett Regional Airport, early on the 4th before winds gradually began to diminish. The cold temperatures caused all the local ski areas to close for the day due to the dangerous conditions.

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill, Southern Oxford

When
February 3, 12:00 PM EST to February 4, 11:00 AM EST
Where
Southern Oxford forecast zone
Reported by
AWOS
Coordinates
44.500, -70.757 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

By midday on the 3rd wind chills were reaching -30 degrees. Ambient air temperatures continued to fall into the double digits below zero with winds gusting in excess of 35 mph. The coldest wind chill values approached -50 degrees, including -49 degrees at Bethel Regional Airport, early on the 4th before winds gradually began to diminish.

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill, Southern Franklin

When
February 3, 12:00 PM EST to February 4, 11:00 AM EST
Where
Southern Franklin forecast zone
Reported by
AWOS
Coordinates
44.974, -70.444 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

By midday on the 3rd wind chills were reaching -30 degrees. Ambient air temperatures continued to fall into the double digits below zero with winds gusting in excess of 35 mph. The coldest wind chill values approached -50 degrees early on the 4th before winds gradually began to diminish.

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill, Southern Somerset

When
February 3, 12:00 PM EST to February 4, 11:00 AM EST
Where
Southern Somerset forecast zone
Reported by
AWOS
Coordinates
45.514, -69.959 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

By midday on the 3rd wind chills were reaching -30 degrees. Ambient air temperatures continued to fall into the double digits below zero with winds gusting in excess of 35 mph. The coldest wind chill values approached -50 degrees early on the 4th before winds gradually began to diminish.

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill, Interior Cumberland Highlands

When
February 3, 2:00 PM EST to February 4, 11:00 AM EST
Where
Interior Cumberland Highlands forecast zone
Reported by
Mesonet
Coordinates
43.806, -70.330 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

By the afternoon on the 3rd wind chills were reaching -30 degrees. Ambient air temperatures continued to fall into the double digits below zero with winds gusting in excess of 35 mph. The coldest wind chill values approached -45 degrees early on the 4th before winds gradually began to diminish.

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill, Interior Waldo

When
February 3, 4:00 PM EST to February 4, 11:00 AM EST
Where
Interior Waldo forecast zone
Reported by
Mesonet
Coordinates
44.485, -69.122 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

By mid afternoon on the 3rd wind chills were reaching -30 degrees. Ambient air temperatures continued to fall into the double digits below zero with winds gusting in excess of 35 mph. The coldest wind chill values approached -45 degrees early on the 4th before winds gradually began to diminish.

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill, Kennebec

When
February 3, 4:00 PM EST to February 4, 11:00 AM EST
Where
Kennebec forecast zone
Reported by
ASOS
Coordinates
44.409, -69.767 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

By mid afternoon on the 3rd wind chills were reaching -30 degrees. Ambient air temperatures continued to fall into the double digits below zero with winds gusting in excess of 35 mph. The coldest wind chill values approached -45 degrees, including -46 at Augusta State Airport, early on the 4th before winds gradually began to diminish.

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill, Androscoggin

When
February 3, 4:00 PM EST to February 4, 11:00 AM EST
Where
Androscoggin forecast zone
Reported by
AWOS
Coordinates
44.166, -70.206 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

By mid afternoon on the 3rd wind chills were reaching -30 degrees. Ambient air temperatures continued to fall into the double digits below zero with winds gusting in excess of 35 mph. The coldest wind chill values approached -45 degrees early on the 4th before winds gradually began to diminish.

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill, Central Interior Cumberland

When
February 3, 4:00 PM EST to February 4, 11:00 AM EST
Where
Central Interior Cumberland forecast zone
Reported by
Mesonet
Coordinates
43.806, -70.330 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

By mid afternoon on the 3rd wind chills were reaching -30 degrees. Ambient air temperatures continued to fall into the double digits below zero with winds gusting in excess of 35 mph. The coldest wind chill values approached -45 degrees early on the 4th before winds gradually began to diminish.

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill, Coastal Waldo

When
February 3, 4:00 PM EST to February 4, 11:00 AM EST
Where
Coastal Waldo forecast zone
Reported by
AWOS
Coordinates
44.485, -69.122 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

By the late afternoon on the 3rd wind chills were reaching -30 degrees. Ambient air temperatures continued to fall into the double digits below zero with winds gusting in excess of 35 mph. The coldest wind chill values approached -45 degrees, including -41 degrees at Belfast Municipal Airport, early on the 4th before winds gradually began to diminish.

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill, Knox

When
February 3, 5:00 PM EST to February 4, 10:00 AM EST
Where
Knox forecast zone
Reported by
AWOS
Coordinates
44.076, -69.126 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

By the late afternoon on the 3rd wind chills were reaching -30 degrees. Ambient air temperatures continued to fall into the double digits below zero with winds gusting in excess of 35 mph. The coldest wind chill values approached -45 degrees early on the 4th before winds gradually began to diminish.

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill, Interior York

When
February 3, 6:00 PM EST to February 4, 11:00 AM EST
Where
Interior York forecast zone
Reported by
AWOS
Coordinates
43.429, -70.670 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

By the late afternoon on the 3rd wind chills were reaching -30 degrees. Ambient air temperatures continued to fall into the double digits below zero with winds gusting in excess of 35 mph. The coldest wind chill values approached -45 degrees, including -43 at Sanford Seacoast Regional Airport, early on the 4th before winds gradually began to diminish.

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill, Coastal York

When
February 3, 6:00 PM EST to February 4, 10:00 AM EST
Where
Coastal York forecast zone
Reported by
Mesonet
Coordinates
43.429, -70.670 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

By the late afternoon on the 3rd wind chills were reaching -30 degrees. Ambient air temperatures continued to fall into the double digits below zero with winds gusting in excess of 35 mph. The coldest wind chill values approached -45 degrees early on the 4th before winds gradually began to diminish.

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill, Coastal Cumberland

When
February 3, 6:00 PM EST to February 4, 10:00 AM EST
Where
Coastal Cumberland forecast zone
Reported by
ASOS
Coordinates
43.806, -70.330 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

By the late afternoon on the 3rd wind chills were reaching -30 degrees. Ambient air temperatures continued to fall into the double digits below zero with winds gusting in excess of 35 mph. The coldest wind chill values approached -45 degrees early on the 4th before winds gradually began to diminish. This included -45 degrees at the Portland International Jetport, which was the coldest observed wind chill since January of 1971.

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill, Sagadahoc

When
February 3, 6:00 PM EST to February 4, 9:00 AM EST
Where
Sagadahoc forecast zone
Reported by
Mesonet
Coordinates
43.912, -69.839 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

By the late afternoon on the 3rd wind chills were reaching -30 degrees. Ambient air temperatures continued to fall into the double digits below zero with winds gusting in excess of 35 mph. The coldest wind chill values approached -45 degrees early on the 4th before winds gradually began to diminish.

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill, Lincoln

When
February 3, 7:00 PM EST to February 4, 6:00 AM EST
Where
Lincoln forecast zone
Reported by
AWOS
Coordinates
43.998, -69.526 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

By the late afternoon on the 3rd wind chills were reaching -30 degrees. Ambient air temperatures continued to fall into the double digits below zero with winds gusting in excess of 35 mph. The coldest wind chill values approached -45 degrees, including -37 degrees at Wiscasset Airport, early on the 4th before winds gradually began to diminish.

What these are

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill
Temperatures or wind chills at or below the local warning criteria, or cold that caused deaths.

After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.

The same day elsewhere

More

Every storm in Maine in 2023Every state in 2023This day in weather historyWarnings in Maine, February 2023

Sources

NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database, compiled from the National Weather Service’s monthly Storm Data. Complete through 2026-06; NCEI adds each month about 75 days after it ends and revises past years a few times a year. Rebuilt 2026-09-30. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 1068572, 1068570, 1068571, 1068573, 1068574, 1068575, 1068605, 1068601, 1068602, 1068603, 1068604, 1068612, 1068611, 1068606, 1068607, 1068608, 1068609, 1068610.